Brushing 8mo's teeth

[BotBotticelli]

DS1 is a willful little thing, bless him, and he is not mad keen on me brushing his teeth.

He has 5 teeth, with a 6th on it's way. I try to brush them every morning after breakfast. He clamps his lips shut and wont let me get the brush in, no matter how many silly 'brusher brusher brusher, brush your little teefs!' songs I make up and sing

He seems more interested in doing it himself, especially if I am doing mine at the same time. So I have just been giving him a loaded toothbrush and letting him get on with it. Not much brushing gets done though, he's more just chewing on the bristles. Will this suffice at this age, and is getting some toothpaste in his mouth the real point? Or do I need to get in there and do some proper brushing??

Oh, and is once a day ok, or should I be doing it at night too?

[mummy2benji]

Have you tried one of those soft thimble brushes which you put on your finger? You can put a little toothpaste on that and just let him chomp. I seem to remember not managing much more than that when ds1 was little, and I was always concerned about his teeth as he was on lactulose medication, full of sugar.

[doublethelovedoublethekisses]

Something like this?

[onedogandababy]

We found that if we came at dd with the brush, she'd clamp her mouth shut but if we touched the brush vertically against lower lip & chin, she'd open her mouth and let us brush.
I'd try for twice a day, but if one of those times is him chewing the brush on his own, that's probably fine!

[YBR]

I think we let DD chew the (loaded) brush mainly at that age. Our dentist seemed fairly relaxed about it saying that was sufficient if DD resisted brushing properly. We'd intervene sometimes, and still do occasionally (now 20mo),

[plumpjuicyraspberry]

You should brush them before breakfast really. It's less damaging for the enamel.

[brightonbythesea]

i was having trouble getting my 9mo to open her mouth for the brush top. I tried onedog's suggestion of lightly touching her chin and lower lip and it worked! sje jas had properly brushed teeth for 2 days! thanks for a great suggestion

[onedogandababy]

Glad to have been of help

[froken]

I was told no toothpaste until they are 1. I mostly let 8 mo ds chew his brush whilst I brush my teeth. Hv told me the only reason so brush their teeth before 1 was to get them used to the toothbrush.

[Phineyj]

I have been using those dental wipes and DD doesn't seem to mind them she chomps on my finger as I use them (I think those are only for gums though but they would be better than nothing to back up ineffective brushing by baby I suppose?)

What you need is an older child to brush its teeth in front of DS, as they are so impressed with everything older ones do...

[hazeyjane]

NHS dental advice is to start brushing,using a smear of fluoride toothpaste as soon as teeth appear.